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(No Model.)

R. J. SI-IEBHY.

ELECTRIC ARG LAMP.. No. 279,824. Patented June 19,1883..

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UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. SHEEHY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,824, dated June 19, 1883.

Application filed October 16, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J SHEEHY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in Electric-Light Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electric lighting apparatus in which the so-called, electric arc, is maintained between two carbon electrodes.

It particularly relates to a class of devices or appliances commonly denominated regulators,77 the function of which is to automatically maintain said electrodes in that relation to each other which is essential to the production of a uniform and maximum degree of illumination.

To this end my invention consists in a method of vand apparatus for maintaining the proper relative positions of the said electrodes, which may be described in outline as follows: 'Iwo metallic arms, serving as electrode-holders, are fulcrumed upon a common central shaft. The sockets of the electrodes are respectively pivoted to the outer ends of these arms or holders. When, therefore, the electrodes are in contact, a quadrilateral is completed, of which two adjacent sides are the electrodes, the reemaining two being the arms or holders above nentioned. A tendency is given these arms to rotate upon the said central shaft in opposite directions under the action of a constant force. In other words, they are subjected to a continual force operating to approximate the electrodes. By means of asystem of eccentrically-pivoted levers the electrodes are maintained in prop er angular relation to each other, and by means of a system of pointed levers or lazy-tongs any deviation from the plane in which the electrodes are situated is prevented. The separation of the electrodes necessary to establish the arc is effected by the angular movement of an electro-magnet (vitalized by the light-producing current) upon a shaft, under the attractive force exerted by it upon a stationary armature. An undue separation of the electrodes is preventedby an angular movement in the reverse direction caused by the decrease of said attractive force coupled with (No model.)

the increase of attraction exerted by the pole of a second electro-magnet for the same armature, which is included in a shuntcircuit spanning the electric arc.

The electric-light regulator herein described is capable of being used either upon an independent circuit or in conjunction with other two-point lamps upon vthe same circuit. When used in conjunction with other lamps it is equipped with a cut-out mechanism for automatically withdrawing it from the maincircuit whenever the resistance developed in the electric arc becomes so great as to disadvantageously effect the working ofthe other lamps. This cut-out mechanism is actuated by the pivoted shunt-magnet, which, on reaching a certain position of deflection, allows a switch heretofore maintained by it at a distance on its back contact-point to be liberated, so as to descend upon said contactstop, and thereby close a shunt-circuit of low resistance, avoiding the arc. To reintroduce the light mechanism a device is provided which is actuated bythe pressure of one electrode upon the other to divert the current upon the main line through the coils ofthe oscillating electro-magnet, the

office of which is to separate the electrodes.

The increased energy of these magnets is expanded in restoring the cut-out lever to its normal position of inaction.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention, in which Figure lis a side and Fig. 2 an end elevation of my complete lamp. Fig; 3 is a perspective view of'certain parts of the cut-out mechanism.

I have applied similar reference-letters in all the drawings to such parts as appear in more than one of the iigures.

A A2 are the carbon electrodes, the sockets B B2 of which are respectively pivoted at the points C O2 to the arms D D2. These arms are provided with hubs E E2, both of which are carried upon the same shaft7 F. The hub E is provided with a pinion, G', rigidly affixed thereto. The hub E2 carries the metallic segment G24, which is securely attached to the holder D2 at the points G3 G4. The pinion H (which is driven by a clock-work mechanism comprising the drivingspring H, wheels H2 H3 H4 H5, and fan HG) engages with the pinion IOO G and arc or segment G2, thereby causing the arms D and D2 to be impelled in opposite directions, the former at a less rapid rate of speed than the latter, so as to compensate for the unequal consumption ci the electrodes and maintain the light constantly in the same horizontal plane. As the carbons are consumed, the quadrilateral figure A A2 D D2 Will have two of its sides gradually diminished in length, thereby permitting the rotation ofthe remaining side under t-he influence ot' the force hereinbcforc referred to, but subject to the control ofthe regulating mechanism to be hereinafter described. The normal direction ofthe rotation of the sockets tends to throw the electrodes out of adjustment, for which reason I employ levers I I2, eccentrically pivoted at I IL to the frame-Work of the instrument, and to the electrode-sockets B B2 at the points I5 I, so that under their influence the electrodes are Slightly turned upon the fulcrums C C2 as they are advanced. This revolution is sufficient, however, to effect the proper variation in the angle of incidence necessitated by the consumption of the electrodes. I employ the system of lazy-tongs J J2 J:2 J", attached tothe frame-Work of the lamp K and to the arm D2 by means of the insulating-link K2, and to the electrode A by the rollers K" and K. This system, While conforming to all variations in the said angle of incidence, will serve to maintain the electrode A l'rom being displaced from the plane in which both the electrodes should continually remain. This system is applied to the electrode A', for the reason that on account of its greater length is more liable to become displaced. By means of these dcvices the are is constantly maintained in the same horizontal plane, and the proper direction is given to each of the electrodes. A lateral movement of the longer electrode is provided, and, in fact, any' departure from the proper relative positions, except subject to the control of the regulating device hereinafter to be described, is eii'ectua-lly guarded against.

The electric current is applied to the apparatus in the following manner: Entering from the main line by positive binding-post L', it traverses the conductor L2 and the coils of the electro-magnet M, and thence passes to the frame-Work ot' the instrument L, thence om the arm D to the carbon electrode A to the arc and the electrode A2, (which is insulated at the points N N 2 from the frame-Work of the instrument5) thence by the conductor Ll to contact-stop L"I and conductor LG to negative binding-post LT and line. A shunt-circuit which spans the arc may be traced from the main line L2 by the line O', electro-magnet M2, of high resistance, and conductor O2, to the main line again at LG. The shunt-Wire is so coiled around the electr0-1nagnet M2 as to develop the same polarity at IJ as is manifested by the pole P2. The common yoke Q, supporting the electromagnets M M2, is movable, being` pivoted at Q2 to the frame-work ol' the instrument, and is prolonged at Q3 into an arm jointed at its extreme end to the link R', which is provided with a clamp or clutch, R2. This clamp is provided with a transverse groove, which is given a curvature similar to that oi the segment G5, which latter iits loosely Within the said groove, and travels freely Within the same when the electro-magnets h M2 arein the position of rest in the figure; but When under the influence of the variable attraction exerted by thcpolcs P and P2 upon a common fixed armature, U, the system of magnets turns upon its fulcrum Q2, the clamp R2 grasps the segment G5 by the action ot' the spring when the motion is in one direction, and releases the same by reason oi' the impingement of the clamp against the stop R* when the motion is in the opposite direction. The segment is attached rigidly to the arm D', which cairies the positive electrode, by means of the braces S S2 S", attached to the back face of the arc, so as not to interfcre with the Working of the clamp, the arm S" being prolonged in order to carry the counterpoise T for balancing the arm D and the electrode carried thereby.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The carbon electrodes being normally in contact, the current Which traverses the lines meets with little or no resistance at the point ot' contact, hence by far the greater portion of said current traverses the coils of the electro-magnet M, which oscillates in the manner described upon the pivot Q2, causing the clutch R2 to revolve the segment G5 and separate the electrodes. This forms the luminous arc, and consequently introduces a resistance which causes the fractional current traversing the coils of the electro-magnet M2 to increase in strength, and hence to increase the attraction of the pole-piecc I for the common armature U. Thus the electrodes are permitted to approach under the action of the constant force exerted by the clockwvork mechanism. Then the point is reached at which the stop R comes in contact with the clutch R2, the clamp is so tilted as to free the arm D. This allows the constant force of the clocleivork mechanism to cause the electrodes to approximate. By these appliances the proper separation of thc electrodes is continually maintained, and a uniform light in consequence is the result.

Another division oi' my invention relates to the automatic Withdrawal of a defective lamp from a circuit and its reintroduction when the normal conditions of operation are restored. I have shown a cut-out lever, IV, which, duringthe normal operation oifthelight, is suspended above its back contact-stop, L, by means of a dog, V, which engages with but slides laterally along the insulated grooved carrier NT2. (Better seen in the perspective at Fig. 3.) Vhen the resistance of the electric are becomes so great as to make it advisable to withdraw the lamp from the circuit, the pole-piece I2 of the magnet M2 will be sufficiently deflected from its vertical position IIO , circuit whichspans the are.

to allow said dog to disengage itself from said carrier, thereby permitting the lever W to fall against its back contact-stop, L5, and close a shunt-circuit of low resistance, which may be traced as follows: from the binding-post L', by conductors L2 LB, lever XV, back contact-stop, L5, and conductor L6, to bindingpost Ll. This circuit may, if desired, contain a resistance, Y, equal to the normal resistalice of the luminous arc, so that the operation or non-operation of this lamp will have no perceptible effect upon the remaining lamps in the same circuit'.

To reintroduce the light when the conditions of successful operation are restored, I

make use of the pressure exerted by the cary bon electrode A" upon the electrode A2. This pressure has the effect of slightly turning the electrode A2 upon the fulcrum C2, which power is transmitted by the lever I2 to the rightangled or bell-crank lever Il, pivoted at lIB, and revolved upon said pivot in opposition to the force of the spring I9, and the tension of which is adjusted by the screw Il". The motion is further transmitted by the link I12 to the lever W, which is withdrawn from its back contact-stop, L5, thus interrupting the shunt- This diverts the main portion of the current through the coils of the electro-magnet M and magnetizes the polar extension P3 of the pole-piece P2, which is now immediately above its armature U2, causing it to attract said armature and elevate it into close proximity to said pole-piece until checked by the nut U3 of the screw U4, which passes loosely through the opening in the lever W; hence the further motion of the armature U2 under the now increased attraction of the pole-piece P3 moves said leverW forward suinciently to carry the dog W over the edge of the curved carrier W2, causing it to engage therewith and reinstate the normal conditions of operation as shown in the figure.

I yclaim as my invention- 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an arclamp,- longitudinally inclined to each other, two arms supporting said electrodes, mounted upon a common shaft, toothed segments concentric with said shaft, and carried, respectively, by said arms, and a pinion rotating under the influence of a constant force and engaging with the teeth of said segments to cause the approach of said electrodes.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the carbon electrodes meeting at an angle, arms for supporting said electrodes, arbored upon a common shaft, and a system of lazytong levers for maintaining both of said electrodes in the same plane without preventing their separation and approximation.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth', of the inclined carbon electrodes, arms for carrying said electrodes, arbored upon a common shaft, and lever devices actuated by the movements of said arms, substantially in the manner described, for modifying the angle of incidence between said carbon electrodes as they are consumed.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main circuit, a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet included in each of said circuits, a support carrying said electro-magnets and movable upon an axis, an immovable armature stationed between the pole-pieces of said electro-magnets, and a clamping device of an electric-arc-light regulator, operated by the movements of said electro-magnets about said axis caused by the attractions of said polepieces for said armature.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main electric-light circuit, a shunt circuit, an electro-magnet included in each of said circuits, a support movable upon an axis upon which both said magnets are mounted, and a stationary armature so arranged with reference to said electromagnets that their like poles will act in opposite direction thereupon.

6. rlhe combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of la main circuit, a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet included in each of said circuits, a support movable upon an axis upon which both said magnets are mounted, a stationary armature so arranged with reference to said electro-magnets that their like poles will act in opposite directions thereupon, 'a carbon holder or holders, and feeding mechanism whereby an intermittent advance movement is communicated from said movable electro-magnets to said carbon holder or holders.

7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main circuit, a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet included in each of said circuits, a support movable upon an axis upon which both said magnets are mounted, a stationary armature so arranged with reference to said electro-magnets that their like poles will act in opposite directions thereupon, a carbon holder or holders, feeding mechanism whereby an intermittent advance movement is communicated from said movable electro-magnets to said carbon holder or holders, a normally-open shunt for diverting the electric current from the carbon-holders, a switch for closing said shunt, and mechanism for automatically bringing said switch into action upon the occurrence of an abnormal attraction between said shunt-magnet and its stationary armature.

8. rPhe combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main circuit, a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet in each of said circuits, a support movable upon an axis upon which both said magnets are mounted, a stationary armature so arranged with reference to said electro-magnets that their corresponding poles will act in opposite directions thereupon, a carbon holder or holders, feeding mechanism whereby an intermittent advance movement is communicated from said movable electro-mag- IOO IIO

nets to said carbon holder or holders, a shunt 'for diverting the electric Current from the oarbon-holders, a switch for interrupting` said shunt, and mechanism for automati cally bring'- 5 ing` said switch into action to interrupt said shunt by the pressure of the carbon el eetrodes against each other when in Contact.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto suhsoribed my nanie this 11th day of October, A. D. 1882.

ROBERT J. SHEET-H".

Vitnesses MILLER C. EARL, CHARLES A. TERRY. 

